Improvement in swimming-gloves



. SPRIMBS; Swimming-Glove P a tente 'd June 10", 1879;

' INVBNTOR':

Spy 12 ATTORNEYS.

N- FEIERS. PflOTO-LIYHOGRAPHFL WASHINGTON. 0. Cr

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES PRIMBS, OF UNITED STATES ARMY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SWIMMING-GLOVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent'No. 216.455, dated J nne 10, 1879; application filed May 10, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES PRIMBS, hospital-steward, United States Army, have invented anew and Improved SwimmingGlove;

and I do hereby declare that the following is I part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my invention, showing the mode of attachment to the hand. Fig. 2 is a cross-section.

The cork disk or flat plate A may have various forms or outlines; but I prefer that shown, which is an oblong with rounded corners. To one side of each disk A is attached a thumbless mitten, B, which is open at the finger end. A strap and buckle, (J D, are attached to each mitten at the wrist end of the same, when the hand is inserted in the mitten the back of the same next the side of the cork plate, as shown, and the strap is buckled to secure the device to the wrist.

These devices are intended to he carried as part of the baggage, or in the clothing and about the person of a traveler when upon a journey by water, and thus serve as floats and life-preservers in case of emergency. Being very light and occupying small space, they are particularly adapted for such purpose.

They are also to be used as aids to propulsion in the water, and thus they combine two separate but allied functions. In consequence of their buoyancy, they suggest a propulsive efibrt, even to those wholly unacquainted with the art of swimming, since, when moved backward or pressed down under the water, they tend to rise, and thus lead to or assist in initiating those peculiar movements by which propulsion is effected.

Independently of their adaptation to serve as life-preservers, they are designed for use of bathers in general, especially children or old or enfeebled persons and ladies, as a means for propelling themselves swiftly and easily through. the water.

They will in practice he made of various sizes, to adapt them for use by children, ladies, and men of smaller or larger stature. They may also be made in two parts jointed together, one part being extended up the arm and attached to it. u

I do not claim, broadly, a device adapted for attachment to the hands for use in propelling the body in the water.

What I claim is- The improved life-preserver and swimming plate or paddle, consisting of the disk or plate made of cork, and the mitten attached thereto, and the strap and buckle for securing the device to the wrist, all as shown and described.

CHARLES PRIMBS.

Witnesses:

RoBT. W. HUGHES, JOHN W. KIRK. 

